18 FEBRUARY 2018

Jhonny Gonzalez Marches On

Jhonny Gonzalez weighs in

By Derek Bonnett

Former three-time world champion Jhonny Gonzalez of Mexico kept his hopes alive for one last title fight with a third round stoppage Francisco Contreras at Gimnasio Municipal de Jose Neri Santos in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. Gonzalez won the first two round with rangy boxing and heavy hooks and ended matters in the third frame. Gonzalez dropped Contreras with a leaping left hook to the head early in the round. Contreras rose and fought back before being dropped with a rapid combination to the belly. Contreras rose a second time and fought back even harder, landing some powerful hooks of his own. On more well-timed body shot dropped the Dominican fighter in the closing moments of the third round to end the super featherweight contest.

Gonzalez, 35, went back home to Distrito Federal with a record of 63-10-0 (53). Possible bouts with Mexican compatriots Orlando Salido and Miguel Roman loom as interesting possibilities at 130. Contreras, 33, fell to 30-6-0 (23). He resides in Irvington, New Jersey, USA.